U.S. FDA

Grants emergency approval for test to detect MERS

July 16, 2013|Reuters

July 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administrationissued an emergency authorization on Tuesday for a diagnostictest to detect the presence of the Middle East coronavirus atthe request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The emergency approval follows the Health and Human Servicessecretary's determination that the virus called Middle EastRespiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which has killed atleast 40 people, poses a potential public health threat.

On July 5, the World Health Organization said MERS, whichcan cause fever, coughing and pneumonia, had not yet reachedpandemic potential and may simply die out.

WHO experts last month said countries at risk from MERSshould put in place plans for handling mass gatherings but hasstopped short of recommending restrictions on travel.